We visited my paternal grandparents. My grandpa was Don Angel (pronounced “Annhel”), and my grandma, Doña María. Upon our arrival, we politely greeted them the way Daddy had taught us to, by asking for their blessing in Spanish:
“¿Bedición?”
“¡Dios te bendiga!” they answered, opening their arms, smothering us with bear hugs and wet kisses.
Abuelo was born in 1908 and Abuela in 1907. Both were born in Utuado Puerto Rico and married in their early twenties, ultimately having ten children. Abuela stayed home attending to her brood while Abuelo supported his family as a farmer. (Rumor has it he made a little Moon Shine too). On twenty-five acres, he tended to bananas, tobacco, and coffee crops. He raised chickens and goats and even owned cows that he milked.
Daddy favored Abuelo; everyone said those two could be brothers.
(An excerpt from Running in Heels: A Memoir of Grit and Grace)
© M.A. Pérez 2018, All Rights Reserved
Reflections From the Heart 